Lead exposure in buildings, especially deteriorating lead-based paints, contaminated dust, and debris, has a lasting impact on health. Prolonged exposure can lead to cardiovascular and neurological damage and even respiratory problems. Due to the serious health implications lead-based buildings were discouraged and eventually were banned by lead regulations. Since older structures with high lead contents still exist, lead control mechanisms need to be utilized to minimize the risk posed by them. Lead abatement services are helpful in that regard as they provide professional removal, encapsulation, and replacement of harmful lead material. These services help create a healthy living environment by avoiding long-term negative impacts on health.
What Is Lead Abatement?
Lead abatement is a specialized procedure for removing and encapsulating lead-based material from buildings in a safe manner and in accordance with regulations.
Harmful Effects
Lead paints were banned in the United States in 1978 to prevent undetectable damage to human life. Since lead is present many different materials, like paints, coatings and even soil, the damage is silently done and its prevention requires active efforts. Lead exposure at a young age can lead to cognitive disabilities and lack of development in children, and may even lead to poisoning if the particles are consumed directly.
In adults, it can cause heart problems, high blood pressure, and even kidney-related problems. Reproductive health is also severely impacted if the exposure to lead is chronic. Lead present in vast quantities is also troublesome for the environment as it leads to contamination of air and land. This is why it is essential to prevent lead from being transmitted to humans and animals, which usually occurs when there is chipping and dusting from lead-containing materials. This is where environmental remedies lead abatement can be used to help curb the harmful effects of lead.
What Is The Process For Lead Abatement?
Lead abatement is a step-by-step procedure carefully designed by experts.
Initial Assessment
The property containing lead is assessed as per industry standards to identify areas which are contaminated by lead. This helps experts come up with an action plan.
Prevent Spread
Containment areas are sealed off with tapes and plastic covers before abatement work can begin, to prevent the spread to other areas.
Air Filtration
An air filtration device is used to draw out air from the contaminated areas. This creates a vacuum and prevent the release of dust and debris to the non-contaminated zones.
Removal
After creating a vacuum, lead removal is done through different methods based on the level of contamination, type of surface and property requirements.
Decontamination
After the removal process is done, the properties are thoroughly decontaminated with vacuums and wet wipes to remove all remaining lead particles.
Post Abatement Clearing Testing
Post abatement clearing testing by visual inspection and air sampling to ensure that lead is completely removed from the area. After this, the property becomes safe for habitation.
Containment Removal
Once all inspections are done, plastic coverings and other barriers are removed.
While it can be harrowing process for some, environmental remedies lead abatement can be a fairly safe procedure to have when conducted by specialized teams and quite necessary too given its serious impact on human life.
